How to Turn Off the Auto Start-Stop Function in an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
To turn off the auto start-stop function in an automatic transmission car, simply press the start-stop button located below the center console, which is marked with a capital letter A surrounded by arrows. The start-stop function, also known as the engine auto start-stop system, automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop during driving and restarts it when it's time to move forward again. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. There are six gear positions in total, arranged from top to bottom as follows: P, R, N, D, S, L.
The auto start-stop function in my Volkswagen always shuts off the engine at red lights, but I later found it incredibly easy to turn off. Just locate the circular button with the letter 'A' below the central console's AC panel, press it, and the indicator light will turn on to confirm it's deactivated. It defaults to 'on' every time you start the car, so I’ve made it a habit to press this button right after getting in. Some models position the switch near the gearshift or integrate it into the driving mode selection menu. Now, with the AC running in summer, turning this feature off has made the cooling much more consistent. Honestly, manually disabling it occasionally during heavy traffic is also gentler on the battery lifespan.
Last time I drove my colleague's Buick GL8, I noticed that turning off the auto start-stop requires tapping the touchscreen. Just find the 'Engine Auto Start-Stop' option in the vehicle settings menu and toggle the switch to the off position. Some American cars even require operating through the dashboard's trip computer interface, switching via buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. I recommend checking the manual, as the logic varies significantly between brands. For instance, my car shuts off the engine with a hard brake press, and the frequent start-stop during city commutes is really annoying. Now I only keep it on for long trips, and I always turn it off for daily commutes—the engine runs much quieter that way.
